How should Miami handle accusations?

There are a lot of nonsensical and/or hypocritical NCAA rules, and one certainly can stand on a soapbox and shriek that punishing players for breaking those rules is just as hypocritical and silly.

But rules are rules, and private encounters with prostitutes on a yacht are private encounters with prostitutes on a yacht, so something has to give here.

If Miami is interested in never vacating the 2011 season, it must sit any player in question until he's cleared. School-imposed suspensions or other discipline should be on the table too — but it's only palatable if framed as a stand against behavior that reflects poorly on Miami, no matter how dumb the rules are. That's not a silly message to send.

This isn't an issue for the Miami administration to handle and why would anyone feel comfortable with Miami's ability to self police?

Remember this is an accusation and this will be resolved by the NCAA, whose president, Mark Emmert, said the university has been investigating the program for the last five months and I suspect the current students are high on the priority list.

Should the accusations bear any truth, I hope the NCAA doesn't lay down the hammer on the current players for the far more egregious transgressions of previous players.

Hopefully, the NCAA is fair in making sure the punishment fits the crime.

Sit the players down and ask if the allegations are true. Inform them that telling the truth will make it hurt less than lying about it.

The NCAA, which supposedly has been investigating Miami for months, has traditionally shown greater leniency to athletes and coaches who fess up if, in fact, they've violated rules. Those that lie suffer greater consequences. Even, as in the case of former Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant, when no violation occurred.

Miami should not take any disciplinary action until the players tell their side of the story.

The media and public love to pretend some high-noon justice should be enacted in cases such as the University of Miami's scandal, and that means the innocent and guilty should be swept out of town in the same, righteous move.

But let's be real. The 12 current players alleged to be involved in the mushroom cloud hovering over Miami athletics need to be talked with, investigated and treated on an individual basis. The allegations against them are wildly different and made by a convicted Ponzi schemer.

What if booster Nevin Shapiro had named 13 players? Sixteen? Would you want all of them be kicked off the team?

Treat them as individuals. Be fair. Be honest. Someone has to be in all this.